Artist Statement: The Performance of Self

I believe that self is a performance and that notions of self are developed in direct relationship to the images and information provided to us via the media, religion & our respective peer groups and families. 

Conceptual and representational portrait photography sits at the center of my practice, but painting, performance, video, the spoken/written word, and installation are additional outputs.

My work often explores the relationship between societal discourse, pop-culture, subculture, and the individual. With influences as diverse as advertising, ministry and social media, new insights are manufactured from both orderly and random dialogues. 

I am interested in exploring & examining the power of fine art, marketing and technology to inform the development & performance of self. 

Biography

"I make art. 

 I make love. 

 I make myself."

- Ricky Day                                                                                                                 

I was born in Saint Louis, Missouri & raised in Los Angeles, California. I am a visual artist, photographer, filmmaker and musician working primarily with themes related to identity, sub-culture and popular culture. I live & work in Harlem, New York.

My fine art practice includes painting, collage, photography, video & recorded music. While my commercial photography business includes fashion editorials, portraiture and events.

As a visual artist I have exhibited in multiple group shows in NYC & beyond. My exhibitions include the group exhibitions: The Subject is Black at Leslie Lohman Project Space in New York City (Fall 2014); Curate NYC at Rush Arts Gallery in New York City (October 2010); The Great LGBT Photo Show at Leslie Lohman Museum in New York City (June 16 – July 10, 2010); Latent: An En Foco Photo Exhibition at Umbrella Arts in New York City (April 3 – 27, 2010); White Lies: Black Noise at Rush Arts Gallery November 14, 2009 – January 24, 2009. 

Solo exhibitions include: Brother Outsider Won't You Come Inside at GMAD in Brooklyn, New York (Fall 2014); A Portrait of The Life (August 2012) at Billie's Black; This is Urban Pop at Chi Chiz in New York City, (August 2010 – September 2010); Introducing Ricky Day at Bus Boys and Poets in Washington DC (Jan/February 2008).

My photography has appeared in numerous magazines, blogs and websites including Candid Magazine, Ammo Mag, Sheen, Bleu Magazine, New York Post, AM New York & UrbanPopLife.net to name a few. MY clients past and present include: Google, YouTube, Native Son, Ford Models NY, Click Models, Boss Models NY, Major Models, U Model Management, Signature Talent Agency, Interscope Records, First Corinthian Baptist Church, Walrond for Congress campaign, MBK Entertainment, public relations powerhouse PMK-BNC, Nivea, Eucerin, Aquaphor, Biersdorf Inc., Bevy Smith's "Dining With Bevy, Life With Vision", Chef Roble, True Indian Hair, accessories line Ank Man, Blur Communications, The Fellowship of Affirming Ministries and many others. 

Using Format